The enigmatic Frenchman spent five memorable years at Old Trafford during his playing days, etching his name into United folklore.

Cantona concedes the opportunity to return to his former home would be difficult to turn down, but he does not see Ferguson, who has spent 26 years in the Red Devils hot-seat, going anywhere anytime soon.

"Alex Ferguson is young, has so much energy, so much love of the game, so many things to give, more and more and more," the 46-year-old, who currently holds a post as director of football at the New York Cosmos, told the Daily Mirror.

"And I love to watch them winning things and I want Ferguson to be manager forever.

"He's a winner, that's why he has won so many things. It's what is incredible with him, next game is like the first game of his career, and he gives you that - his passion, his love of the game, love of winning things."

Asked if he would take the United post if offered it, Cantona added: "I would say, 'United is special, so of course I would do it'.

"Today I'm with the New York Cosmos. But if one day there is an opportunity? Why not. Like diving from here to the sea, watching, speaking to the fish, octopus, crabs and journalists."

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t's wrong to be making a joke out of Bender's name at the expense of gay people. It's the kind of childish, uncivilised thing that Football365 would deride and ridicule if it was another media outlet saying. Why is there a need for jokes like this? Does it make your writers feel like men? F365 might suggest that I 'lighten up', but it is genuinely traumatic for people who have been oppressed all their lives to be the butt of jokes, and to be told...

ou can't blame De Gea for wanting to leave, he has enough to do in front of goal as it is as well as taking on the role of Man Utd's version of Derek Acorah in trying to contact and organise a defence that isn't there.